Amy West of Daytona State College To Join USF Golf Team Next Fall

Daytona State women’s golf coach Laura Brown has announced that sophomore Amy West has accepted an offer to join Marci Kornegay’s University of South Florida Bulls golf squad in the fall of 2011.

West, a Tampa-area native and second-place finisher at last year’s NJCAA Women’s Golf National Championship, had attracted the attention of several other programs. But she was sold on joining a Division I school closer to her hometown.

For West, the move to USF is especially important.

“I’m really very excited to be joining the Bulls next fall," West said. "I’m impressed with what Coach Kornegay has done with her program and the chemistry just seems right. Moving closer to family and taking my game to the next level is also a dream come true for me.”

West was a key factor in Daytona State’s success last year. Three top five finishes, including winning the 2009 Xavier Invitational and placing second at nationals, helped lead the Falcons to their fourth national crown.

This year, West has four top 15 finishes, including placing second at the Lady Falcon Invitational.

Brown is especially proud of these accomplishments since West has only been playing competitive golf since high school.

“Amy had been playing softball for years before deciding to try something new," Brown said. "Somewhere between her freshman and sophomore years, she decided to start playing golf seriously. It didn’t take her long at all to become a very talented and competitive player.”

For Brown, discovering West and bringing her to Daytona State only seemed natural.

“Amy impressed me with her raw talent and desire for the game," Brown said. "When I spoke to Amy about coming to Daytona State, we both agreed that if she was willing to work hard, she could have a real shot at taking her game to the next level.”

Reflecting on her move, West said, “Coming to Daytona and playing for Coach Brown was one of the best things I could have ever done. She’s a great coach and a terrific mentor. I’ve improved my game, matured and have decided what I want to focus on in school.”

West has expressed a desire to pursue undergraduate studies at USF that will prepare her for a career in law enforcement.

West is the second Falcon to announce that she will be playing for a Division I team next year. Earlier this fall, sophomore Ericka Schneider accepted an offer to join the University of Mississippi.